Cellulose activated by liquid ammonia



Patented July 28, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CELLULOSE ACTIVATED BY LIQUID AMMONIA Clemmy 0. Miller, Milw ukee, Villa, and Arthur E. Siehrs, Chicago,

., assignors to North American Rayon Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Original application January so,

1932; Serial No. 589,974. Divided and this application March 29, 1939, Serial No. 264,860

' 10 Claims. '(Cl. zoo- 209) This invention relates to the manufacture of reactive forms of cellulose and the like, and refers more particularly to improved processes of treatment whereby chemical and/or physical changes are produced in the base materials so 5 that their rates of reaction with reagents for producing derivatives therefrom are markedly increased.

\ A'primary object of the invention is to' obtain a reactive form of cellulose from which viscose,

manufacturing reactive'forms of cellulose are apl5 plicable to carbohydrates of similar constitution, such as starch and other polysaccharides .and the 'invention comprises the treatmentfof these substances when the application of the improved process is found to be of advantage. It is therefore to be understood that where the term cellulose is used his intended to cover'the treatment of similar materials whenever found advantageous.

manufacture of cellulose acetate it is customary to employ a certain amount of sulfuric acid as a means of assisting in the removal of water from the reacting substances. as will be presently explained, offers a simpler 'method for the production of cellulose acetate due to the greater reactivity of the cellulose produced. This applies to the manufacture of all the cellulose'esters.

The'above illustrations will suflice to show that cellulose of greater reactivity than is found'in the types produced by caustic soda treatment will find important uses in the cellulose industries.

In its most general and preferred embodiment the present invention comprises the production of reactive cellulose by treatment of cellulosic materials with ammonia alone or in combination with various metals, amides, imides, oxides, hy-

"droxides and salts of metals and organic ammonia derivatives, and ammonium derivatives such as amines, salts of amines and quaternary ammonium salts. The ammonia may be utilized either in liquid or gaseous phase and in the liquid phase may be mixed'with certain alcohols, hydro- The activation of cellulose heretofore has been carbons, et l's, fly acid amides, e O S.

effected by treatment with aqueous solutions of caustic soda to convert it into what is generally called soda cellulose, it being usually necessary to allow the treatment to continue for periods varying from 12 to 72 hours to obtain a sufv quires varying periods of time, depending upon such factors asthe source of the cellulosic material such as cotton or cotton 1inters,'wood pulp, linen rags, et cerera, and it is obvious that a process whereby the cellulose could be rendered sufficiently reactive so that it will rea'ctwith' car- 40 b n disulfide without pretreatment with caustic soda and ageing would be of great value in the anfifacture of viscose. In the manufacture of cellulose acetate, taking acids, esters, nitrobenzene, et cetera, according to their solubility'and in the gaseous phase may be diluted with such gases as nitrogen, hydrogen, etc. The various modifications of treatment comprised within the scope of the invention will be set forth in detail in the following specification. I r

In one specific embodiment the invention comprises the manufacture of reactive cellulose by treatment of cellulosic materials with anhydrous ammonia. when we wish to refer to an anhydrous ammonia that has been treated to remove the water that is present as an impurity by some special process, we will designate it as dry anhydrous ammonia or dried anhydrous ammonia. We shall refer to the reactive product obtained when cellulose is steeped in anhydrous ammonia or exposed to ammonia gasesv orvapors, as ammonia cellulose; We refer to it inthis way to it as an example of the manufacture of cellulose designate it from other more reactive forms of esters, cellulose by one process is treated with a mixture of glacial acetic acid and acetic anhydride. During the, reaction a part of the ,acetic anhydride is converted-into acetic acid. The discellulose acetate. In the ordinary methods of the'preparation of ammonia cellulose is prefercellulose that we shall describe later. iwe do not infer by the term that it-is a salt of cellulose .or that the nitrogen content of the cellulose. is even increased. it is somewhat analogous to the term covery of a form of cellulose that will react disoda cellulose, which refers to cellulose that has rectly with appropriate substances to give cel- 1 brought into contact with anhydrous ammonia,

or ammonia gas or vapors. The cellulose used in The present proc'ess,-,

ably cellulose that has been dried hv exposure to the air or subjected to any con ey ieut drying process that decreases its moisture r-intent to some very low value, as 0.3% or less. The moisture content of cellulose dried by exposure to air 5 varies with the humidity of the air. It may be as high as 8% or as low as 0.3%. We shall refer to cellulose that has been dried by exposure to air as air-dry cellulose or air-dried cellulose and to cellulose that has been subjected to any convenient drying process, such that its moisture content is less than 0.3%, as dry cellulose or dried cellulose.

As an example of the method of operation when preparing ammonia cellulose, we cite the 5 following: Ten parts of cellulose, as cotton, cotton linters, wood pulp, et cetera, are placed in a container well insulated from heat, and approximately 50 parts of anhydrous ammonia are drawn onto the cellulose. The ratio of cellulose to anhydrous ammonia may vary, but the cellulose must be covered by the anhydrous ammonia, and all the cellulose must be brought into contact with the anhydrous ammonia. The cellulose may be allowed to steep for, say 15-30 minutes, after which time it is removed from the anhydrous ammonia, treated in some convenient way to free it from any liquid that is adhering to it, as by evaporation, pressing, reduced pressure, heat et cetera, or any combination of these. The ammonia cellulose prepared in this way can be immediately converted (without ageing) into viscose by treatment with carbon disulfide and sodium .hydroxide in aqueous solution or into cellulose esters or cellulose ethers by treatment with the appropriate substances. We willset forth the details of these processes later.

In the manufacture of ammonia cellulose, we have found that it is convenient to carry out the steeping of the cellulose at approximately the 40 boiling point of anhydrous ammonia at atmospheric pressure, which is about 28 F. We have found that treatment of cellulose with anhydrous ammonia at higher temperatures up to a maximum of approximately 266 F., or at lower tem- '45 peratures down to a minimum of approximately -107.2 F., or pressures up to approximately 115 atmospheres or down to 6 atmosphere still gives ammonia cellulose. The cellulose used may be dried cellulose or airdry cellulose as previously defined, andthe anhydrous ammonia may be commercial anhydrous ammonia or dried anhydrous ammonia. We have found thatwe can obtain satisfactory yields of ammonia cellulose when any combination of these is used.

In our illustration, we state that the anhydrous ammonia is drawn onto the cellulose; We have found it equally convenient to prepare ammonia cellulose by introducing the cellulose into the anthat is satisfactory in less time than 15 minutes,

we believe 15 minutes is the minimum time for steeping. The ammonia cellulose obtained by allowing cellulose to steep in anhydrous ammonia for six hours seem to have few advantages over ammonia cellulose obtained after 30 minutes. By increasing the temperature 'and correspondingly increasing the pressure to maintain the ammonia as a liquid, the time required for the desired reaction may be shortened.

Furthermore, we have'found that the form in which the cellulose exists is not a limiting factor for the production of ammonia cellulose. For example, it may be in a loose powdery form as Wood pulp, fine form like cotton linters, it may be a thread or filament, or it may be woven, knitted, or fabricated in any way. The important factor isthat it be sufficiently loose to permit penetration by the liquid ammonia and sufficient time be given for its penetration.

We do not know the chemical structure of the cellulosic product that we designate as ammonia cellulose. It may be an ammonium salt of cellulose or it may have a different physical structure which accounts for its increased reactivity. In support of the former explanation, cellulose is an acid in anhydrous ammonia, which would make salt formation a possibility. It is well known to those familiar with the properties of solutions of salts in liquid ammonia, that compounds are ammonolyzed in anhydrous ammonia, though to a less extent than they are hydrolyzed in water. Thus, the fact that the ammonium salt of cellulose cannot exist in water doesnot prove that the ammonium salt of cellulose cannot exist in anhydrous ammonia.

We wish to point out that the properties of cellulose obtained in the way that we have described are profoundly different from cellulose that has been treated with ammonia water or ammonium hydroxide. It is therefore a new product.

In another specific embodiment the invention comprises preparation of ammonia cellulose by treatment of cellulosic materials with ammonia gas. In operations of this character we prefer to 'use finely separated air-dry cellulose which has been rendered adsorbent by'any convenient process. It is placed in a closed container and ammonia gas or vapor containing preferably less than 5% water vapor is slowly led over it, pref erably at superatmospheric pressure. We prefer to cool the container and not to allow the tem perature of the material to go above 212 F. The

time required for this process varies from 1 to 6 hours. Ammonia cellulose obtained in this-way may be immediately (without ageing) converted into viscose by treatment with carbon disulfide and caustic soda, or into'cellulose esters or cellulose ethers by use of the appropriate chemicals. Tltie details of these methods will be set forth la er. 1

We have found that dried cellulose and dry am monia gas do not give ammonia cellulose as readily as air-dry cellulose and ammonia gas or vapor containing water vapor, preferably less than 5%. and in the gas seems to favorthepreparation of the ammonia cellulose. Dried cellulose can be used when the ammonia gas or vapor contains water vapor. It is not necessary that there be a stream of gas flowing over the cellulose; it is suflicient to have a continuous quantity of the gas in contact with the cellulose. It will be obvious that cellulose which has been rendered absorbent by any suitable process will take up ammonia faster than the ordinary .or less absorbent varieties. v

Treatment under pressure with cooling seems to favor the rapid absorption of ammonia by cellulose. When a highly absorbent cellulose The presence of water in the fiber.

is used considerable heat is evolved in the process. An increase in temperature decreases the rate of absorption of ammoniaby the cellulose. The length of time required for obtaining a product having a maximum reactivity varies with the degree of absorbency of the cellulose, the moisture content of the cellulose, the water content of the ammonia gas, the pressure of the ammonia gas or vapor, the temperature at which the process is carried out, and the degree of comminution.

The properties of ammonia cellulose prepared in this way are essentially the same as the properties of ammonia cellulose prepared by treatment with anhydrous ammonia. The form of the cellulose includes finely divided cellulose, filaments, threads, woven or knitted or cellulose in any fabricated form.

In a further specific embodiment the invention comprises the production of active cellulose by treatment of cellulosic materials with solutions of alkali metals such as sodium, potassium, et cetera, in liquid ammonia.

In the preparation of reactive forms of cellulose by a process of this type, we prefer to use sodium, and to carry it out as follows. We shall refer to the reactive form of cellulose formed in this way as sodium cellulose. We shall discuss later the relation of the sodium to the cellulose. By sodium cllulose we mean a cellulose product obtained by treating dry cellulose suspended in dried anhydrous ammonia withany amount of sodium up to such amount that if any more sodium is added, the anhydrous ammonia will remain blue. Twenty-five parts of dried cellulose, having a moisture content of 0.3% or less, may be placed in a container well insulated from heat The container must be constructed in such a way that air cannot enter the system, but any gas formed may escape. One hundred twenty-five parts of dried anhydrous ammonia may be drawn onto the cellulose. One part of sodium is dropped into the anhydrous ammonia in small pieces in such a way that the exposure of the sodium to air is minimized and no air is permitted to enter the container.

When sodium dissolves in anhydrous ammonia, a deep blue color is formed in the solution. When cellulose is present, the color is fleeting, for the cellulose reacts with the dissolved metal to give hydrogen and a colorless solution. The cellulose is not visibly dissolved in the process. The amount of hydrogen liberated under the conditions described is chemically equivalent to the amount of sodium added. Weprefer to stir while adding the sodium. Two hours are generally required for this treatment. The time varies with the degree of comminution of the cellulose; the more finely divided the product, the shorter is the time required for treatment. The reaction is complete when the blue color is discharged following the addition of all of the sodium. The'cellulose product is separated from the anhydrous ammonia by any convenient process, as evaporation, pressing, exposing to a reduced pressure, warming slightly, or any combination of these. The cellulosic product is then ready for conversion into viscose by treatment with carbon disulfide and caustic soda, or into cellulose esters and cellulose ethers by methods that will be described subsequently.

We have found that it is of great importance to have the cellulose thoroughly dried, i. e, a

moisture content of 0.3% or less, to have the anhydrous ammonia thoroughly dried, and the apparatus built in such a way that the cellulose,

cellulose is a sodium salt of cellulose.

anhydrous ammonia or its vapors in the container, the sodium and the cellulosic product formed is minimally exposed to the moisture of the air.

When the sodium is added, if water is present, a

it will react first with the water to form sodium hydroxide which is insoluble in anhydrous ammonia; After the water is used up the sodium will react with the cellulose. When a graph is carry out-the process at the temperature of boiling ammonia at atmospheric pressure,which is. about -28 F. However, we have foundthat the properties of the cellulosic product obtained at higher temperatures, as 266 F., or lower temperatures, -107.2 F., or at higher pressures, as high as atmospheres, or at lower pressures, as atmosphere, do not differ essentially from that prepared at 28 F. In our illustration, we have used the proportions of 25 parts of cellulose to one part of sodium. We have tried other proportions of cellulose and sodium, as 4 parts of cellulose to 1 part of sodium, and 10 parts of cellulose to 1 part of sodium. The reactivity of the sodium cellulose increases with increasing sodium content and decreases with decreasing sodium content. The proportions of cellulose to sodium should not be such that the deep blue color of the solution is not discharged by the cellulose. For the preparation of viscose, sodium cellulose prepared by treating 25 parts of cellulose with 1 part of sodium gives a satisfactory viscose. For the preparation of cellulose esters, the proportions of about 4 to 1 seem to be best. In the preparation of sodium cellulose having a very low sodium content, it is important that no water be present in any form, for very little water is required to transform thesmall amount of sodium into sodium hydroxide. A mixture of cellulose and sodium hydroxide would be obtained and not sodium cellulose, as we define it.

In the treatment of cellulose with sodium in anhydrous ammonia, the cellulose should be covered by the anhydrous ammonia to insure all the cellulose coming into contact with the sodium. The order in which cellulose, anhydrous ammonia, and sodium are brought together is of little consequence. For example, the sodium may be added to the anhydrous ammonia first and the cellulose last. The form in which the cellulose is treated is of little consequence. It may be finely divided, or in the form of filaments or threads, knitted, woven, or otherwise fabricated into special forms.

We do not know what takes place in the cellulose when it is changed into sodium cellulose. Thetransformation may be chemical and/or physical. hydrous ammonia, it is possible that sodium We have some evidence that supports this explanation. Since it is known that salts are ammonolyzed in anhydrous ammonia though usually to a less degree. than they are hydrolyzed in water, there is a possibility of its existence in anhydrous ammonia. Sodium cellulose is profoundly different from the soda cellulose or alkali cellulose prepared by treating cellulose with a strong aqueous Since cellulose is a weak acid in ansolution of sodium hydroxide suchas 20%. Or-

dinary soda. cellulose contains a large amount of.

pared similarly by using any appropriate metal,

or metals, provided that the metal is sufliciently soluble in anhydrous ammonia.

In a further specific embodiment the invention comprises the production of active cellulose .by treatment of cellulose materials with ammonia and metal amides, imides or nitrides individually evaporation, exposure to reduced pressure, slight warming, or any combination of these. It is then stand for six hours. The cellulose is removed by any convenient process and is freed from anyadhering liquid by 'being subjected to pressing,

ready for use; We have not found moisture to interfere materially in the successful preparation of this reactive form. The process is carried out most conveniently at the boiling point of anhydrous ammonia at atmospheric pressure,

. which is about -2a F. The order of combina or in-suitable combinations As examples of compounds included in this class-may be mentioned sodamide, potassium amide and the other amides of the alkali metals and such substances as bariumimide, magnesium nitride, et cetera.

In conducting operations of this character we,

prefer for certain reasonsto use potassium amide as follows: Three parts of dried cellulose is suspended in ten parts of dry anhydrous ammonia, and one part of potassium amide is added. It is allowed to stand for an hour, after. which the cellulose may be separated from the adhering liquid by pressing, allowing time for evaporation, exposure to reduced pressure, or slightwarming. It is then ready-for-conversion into cellulose products. I

As in the case of the preparation of sodium cellulose, moisture is an important factor and must be excluded from thematerials used and the containing vessel. The container must be constructed to prevent'the entrance of air carrying moisture. Even though a reactive product may be obtained using cellulose that has been incompletely dried or wet ammonia, it is generally. not economical to carry it out in this way.

,The success of the reaction is not dependent upon 7 any particular temperatures and pressures, and therefore the choice of temperature and pressure I amide to cellulose'used may vary considerably and stillgivea reactive material. We have not efound it advantageous to increase the amount of potassium amide beyond the point where the ratio of amounts of potassium amide to cellulose is greater than 1.

In a further specific embodiment the invention comprises the production of active cellulose by the treatment of cellulosic materials with liquid. ammonia containing ammonium salts such as ammonium chloride, ammonium sulfate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfocyanate, etc. In place of the ammonium salts the amides of organic acids such as acetamide may be employed and also urea ,or its derivatives.

tion of thematerials'may be changed without serious consequence, as for example, the am-P 'monium chloride maybe added to the anhydrous.

ammonia and the cellulose added last. The length of time allowed for steeping may vary and still give a reactive product. The ammonia may be allowed to evaporate spontaneously instead of being separated from the ammonia mechanically. The .cellulose may be in a finely divided state, or as filaments, threads, or fabricated into a cloth. The method used in treating cellulose with other ammonium salts or with the organic amides and or compounds. such as tetraethyl ammonium chloride, or tetraethyl ammonium hydroxide.

In the case of triethyl amine the preparation of active cellulose is readily carried out by adding one part of triethyljamine to four parts of dry cellulose in fifty parts of dried anhydrous ammonia at --28 F. It is not necessary that the cellulose and ammonia be dried. We have found it most convenient to carry out the preparation at 2i"v F.; however, other combinationsof tem- .perature, and pressure ive satisfactory: results.

The time 'requiredis less than two hours. The cellulose product-may be recovered by any convenient process, byevaporation, pressing, exposure'to reduced pressure, slight warming, or any f In illustrating the method of preparation of In applying this modification of the process-of the invention to practice we may proceed as follows: Ten parts of air-dry cellulose is placed in a suitable container and 50 parts of commercial anhydrous ammonia is drawn onto it. Ten parts of ammonium chloride is added ,to the cellulose and anhydrous ammonia. It is allowed to.

active cellulose according to this method, we shall cite a case in which cupric oxide is used. To 4 parts of dried cellulose is added 50 parts of dried anhydrous ammonia and ,1 part of cupric oxide. The mixture is allowed to stand for about six hours, after which time the cellulose is separated from the anhydrous ammonia and the excess cupric oxide by any convenient process, such as,

filtration and pressing; or the ammonia may be allowed to evaporate off, leaving the excess copper oxide with the cellulose.

We have found it satisfactory to use air-dry cellulose and commercial anhydrous ammonia, although we prefer to use dried cellulose and dried anhydrous ammonia; As inprevious cases, we have found it most convenient to carry out the process at the boilingpoint of ammonia at the temperature and pressure can be altered widely without aifecting the reaction.

It is possible to vary the amount of cupric oxide used for a given amount of cellulose, and

still obtain a reactive form of cellulose. The length of time required for steeping the cellulose depends upon the substance or substances used with the anhydrous ammoni'a and the degree of comminution of the cellulose. The method for converting cellulose into a more reactive form by using oxides other than cupric oxide and by hydroxides, is essentiallythe same as that given for cupric oxide.

Themodifications of the process using liquid ammonia thus far described may be employed when theliquid ammonia'is substantially pure except for small amounts of water or when the ammonia is mixed with or in solution with various other solvents, for instance, with alcohols, hydrocarbons, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, acids,- esters, acid amides, nitrobenzene, et cetera. The use of these additional materials is optional and.contingent upon a number of factors and depends in general upon whether improved results are obtained by their use. The order in which the cellulose, anhydrous ammonia, inorganic materials and derivatives of ammonia, and theor ganic materials are combined, may be varied since the successful preparation of'the reactive forms 15 not dependent upon any one order of combination. We are not certain as to whether ing air through it, it"was filtered, and set aside Two "parts of cellulose was placed in a suitable container, and fifty parts of anhydrous'ammonia' 'was drawn onto it.- After letting the mixture stand at about 28;? F. for minutes, the-ammoniacellulose was i'emovedfrom the anhydrous ammonia, pressed, and finally subjected to a reduced pressure of about one pound per square inch. It was then mixed with one part of carbon disulfide and agitated for two hours. A sufllcient amount of 8% sodium hydroxide solution was added, with thorough mixing, to make the cellu-, lose content of thesolution 7%. Approximately 28 parts was required. The remainder of the treatment was:-essentially the same asis nowbe-'- ing' used commercially. The viscose solution was allowed to stand at 64 F. for 24 hours. After the excess carbon disulflde was removed by blowto mature at 64 F. The maturing process was followed by no asioiral determinations of the salt number and v osity.

. While, we prefer to use air-dry cellulose and anhydrous ammonia, we have 'found that dried I cellulose and dried anhydrous ammonia will also give satisfactory results. We have found that it ,isimportant to have the cellulose free from ex-'.

cess ammonia, since its presence leads to unnecessary decomposition of th'e'carbon disulfide.

- The cellulose-content of the viscose solutionis:

'1 determined by the use to which the viscose willthe properties of the reactive forms ofcellulose prepared in the presence of the organic substances is identical with the ones that are prepared-in their absence, or not, but have noted that activated forms of cellulose may be advantageously prepared in this way.

be put and can be varied by using different volumes' of 8% sodium hydroxide solution. .It. is.

possible to use other strengths of sodium hydroxide solution, but we prefer to use the 8% solution. We have observed that thefviscose prepared by our method matures faster,- that is, the salt number and viscosity of the viscose changes to the -salt number and viscosityirequired for spinning or In the treatment of cellulose with ammonia gas or ammonia gas and water vapor to form a more reactive form; we have found that gases or vapors, as nitrogen, hydrogen, hydrocarbons, ethers, amines, et cetera,,may be incorporated with the ammonia or the ammonia and water vapor without substantially inhibiting the forma tion of reactive forms. We do not know whether the reactive forms of cellulose prepared in the presence of such va'pors are identical with the reactive forms of cellulose prepared wit ammonia gas alone, or ammonia and water vapor, but have noted that. they possess increased activity and that in some instances benefits are derived by the addition of neutral or diluent gases.

We have set forth various methods for the converting of cellulose into forms, that are more reactive towards various chemicals, as carbon disulfide and caustic soda; and acids, acid anhydrides, acid halides, salts of-acids, and mixtures of any of these. Our investigations on starch, regenerated cellulose by viscose process, andv other polysaccharides have revealed that they may be likewise converted into more reactive forms by treatment with anhydrous ammonia under the conditions described for cellulose. We have found that the properties and uses of these more reactive forms are comparable to the properties and uses of the more reactive forms of cellulose.

We have stated previously that these reactive forms of cellulose can be used in the manufacture of viscose and cellulose esters. We shall cite ex-. amples illustrating how cellulose can be conirerted into viscose and cellulose esters, using the reactive forms that we have described as intermediate products,

formation into a film faster than does viscose prepared by the methods now in use. 6

Sodium cellulose maybe made an into viscose in the following way: Seven parts of dried cellulose wasplaced in a container well insulated from heat, and fifty parts ofdried anhydrous ammonia was drawn onto it. .-One part of sodium was added in several portions,"and the reaction mixture was allowed to stand for two hours after the additionof thelast portion of sodium. The sodium cellulose was removed from the anhydrous ammonia, pressed, and'exposed to a reduced pressure of one pound per square-inch. It was then thoroughly agitated with 3 /2 parts of carbon dis de for two hours, after which 28 parts of 8% water solution of sodium hydroxide was added, with thorough mixing.- This gives a viscose solution having a cellulose content of about 7%. The viscose is allowed to stand at 64 F. for 24 hours. It is filtered'in any con-..

8% sodium hydroxide- .The strength of the sodium hydroxide c n be varied from 1'-16%.

1 We shall cite e preparation of cellulose acetate as an example of the use-of our reactive forms of-cellulosein the preparation of cellulose convertefi esters. For the preparation of the sodium cellu- ,;lose for use in the formation of cellulose acetates,

we prefer to L at 4 parts of dried cellulose in 50 parts of dried ammonia withl part of sodium. To one part of this sodium cellulose is added about 40 parts of acetone and 30 parts of acetyl chloride. The reaction mixture is warmed to 122 F. for one hour and then allowed to cool to room temperature. It is allowed to stand for three hours. The reaction mixture is passed through a filter.

We have found also that the reaction can be carried out in a mixture of acetone in water, the proportions being approximately '75 parts of acetone to 25 parts of water. Also, benzene and banzene and water, in which the mixture of the benzene and water is in the proportion of approximately 75 parts of benzene to 25 parts of water, can be used. The product obtained by this medium is essentially the same as the product obtained when acetone is used as the reaction medium. The cellulose acetate is precipitated by the addition of water or ether. It is soluble in chloroform andacetone. 1

While we have specified the manufacture of cellulose acetates from sodium cellulose, we may form cellulose acetates by reaction with ammonia cellulose. We include cellulose nitrate as one of the cellulose esters that can be prepared in this way.

While air-dry cellulose and commercial anhydrous ammonia can be used, we prefer to use the dried materials because the sodium is used more economically on account of none being needed to react with water. Varying amounts of sodium can be used, up to the proportions of 2 parts of cellulose to 1 part of sodium. The acetate content of the cellulose acetate produced varies with the sodium content of the sodium cellulose. We have cited a preparation in which we used acetyl chloride, however, under appropriate conditions acids, acid anhydrides, acid halides, metallic salts of the acids or mixtures of these may be used. Both inorganic and organic esters can be prepared by this method. Other esters of cellulose may be prepared essentially as described for cellulose acetate.

While WL have specified definite proportions in the various examples given, it is to be understood that these proportions may be varied widely within the contemplation of this invention and without departing from the scope thereof by those skilled in this art. We do not desire to limit ourselves in any way to the exact proporcarbohydrate solely with an ammonium salt dissolved in liquid, anhydrous ammonia.

2. In the preparation of reactive carbohydrates, the improvement which comprises treating a carbohydrate solely with an inorganic ammonium salt dissolved in liquid, anhydrous ammonia. 15

3. In the preparation of reactive carbohydrates, the improvement which comprisesv treating a carbohydrate solely with an organic ammonium salt dissolved in liquid, anhydrous ammonia.

4. In the preparation of reactive carbohydrates, the improvement which comprises treating a carbohydrate solely with ammonium sulfocyanate dissolved in liquid, anhydrous ammonia.

5. In the preparation of reactive carbohydrates, the improvement which comprises treating a carbohydrate solely at a temperature of about 28 F. with an ammonium salt dissolved in liquid, anhydrous ammonia.

6. In the preparation of reactive cellulosic materials, the improvement which comprises treating a cellulosic material solely with an ammonium. salt dissolved in liquid, anhydrous ammonia.

7. In the preparation of reactive cellulosic materials, the improvement which comprises treating a cellulosic material solely with an inorganic ammonium salt dissolved in liquid, anhydrous ammonia.

8. In the preparation of reactive cellulosic materials, the improvement which comprises treating a cellulosic material solely with an organic ammonium salt dissolved in liquid, anhydrous ammonia.

9. In the preparation of reactive cellulosic materials, the improvement which comprises treating a cellulosic material solely with ammonium sulfocyanate dissolved in liquid, anhydrous ammonia.

' 10. In the preparation of reactive cellulosic materials, the improvement which comprises treatint-1. a cellulosic material solely at a temperature of about 28 F. with an ammonium salt dissolved in liquid, anhydrous ammonia.

CLEMMY O. MILLER. AR'I'HUR E. SIEHRS. 

